Urinary
Tract infection in Children

A
urinary tract infection in children causes irritation of the lining of
the bladder, urethra, ureters, and kidneys. If the child is an infant
or only a few years old, the signs of a urinary tract infection may not
be clear, because the children at that age cannot tell us exactly how
they feel.

At times the child may have a high fever, very irritable, and may not
eat properly. Sometimes a child may have low-grade fever, experience nausea
and vomiting.

The
child's urine may have an bad smell. If the child has a high temperature
and appears sick for more than a day without signs of a runny nose or
other visible signs indicative of any other disease he or she should be
checked for a bladder infection.

Only by consulting
a health care provider we can find out whether the child has a urinary
tract infection or not. The child's urine will be collected and examined
for the kind or type of infection.

The method
of collection depends on the childs age. If the child does not know
to use the toilet then the health care provider may place a plastic collection
bag over the child's genital area.

The plastic
bag will be sealed to the skin with an adhesive strip. If the child older
then he or she may be asked to urinate into a container. The sample needs
to come directly into the container without picking up bacteria from the
skin or rectal area.

Urinary tract
infections are treated with drugs called antibiotics. While a urine sample
is under examination, the physician may begin treatment with a drug that
kills the bacteria most likely to be causing the infection. Once culture
results are out, the doctor may decide to switch the child to another
antibiotic.

The way the
antibiotic is given and the number of days that it must be taken depends
on the type of infection and the severity of the infection. If the child
is sick or not able to drink fluids, the antibiotic will be put directly
into the bloodstream through a vein in the arm or hand.

If the child
can eat and drink, the medicine may be given by mouth or by injection.
The medicine is given for a minimum of 3 to 5 days or sometimes several
weeks. The daily treatment dose depends on the specific drug prescribed.

The dosage
may be single dose each day or up to four doses each day. in any case,
the child must continue the medicine as long as the doctor recommends.

We should
not stop medications as soon as the symptoms have subsided. infections
may return, and germs can resist future treatment if the medicine is discontinued
abruptly.